Chapter 4 The Island

• "Am I... acting strange?" she repeated nervously at his sudden touch.
• "And beautiful, definitely."
• "What are you talking about?"
• "Clearly, you're not a little girl anymore."
• He smiled daringly; it was an insinuation, and he didn't hide it.
• "I had six years to grow up and, I think, mature."
• "I really missed you."
• "Really? You didn't write once. You left and forgot all about us."
• "I know. I'm guilty. I'm not going to try to explain it."
• She sighed. "Can I have my head back? Andy, I really have to go now. My mom will be mad if I don't get home soon. I don't want to hear her make some long speech about responsibility."
• "What?" Andy asked, confused, but then he realized what she meant. "Yes! I'm sorry, I didn't realize... Give me your number. Let's go to dinner someday."
• "Dinner?" Victoria repeated nervously.
• "Yes."
• "A dinner... with who?"
• "Just us. I want to talk to you. I..."
• "Another time."
• "You're angry," Andy affirmed in a low voice.
• "Of course not. It’s... I don't know if you're still the same... you're a stranger with familiar eyes right now, Andy."
• "I missed you."
• "You already said that... I'm leaving. Goodbye."
• "I'll take you."
• The strange encounter with her old friend kept Victoria pensive. Andy had dropped out of school the summer before his senior year, and they hadn't heard from him since—until now. Maybe there were some special feelings for Andy that had once sprouted in Victoria's heart many years ago, but she never spoke of them. And it's been so long since those things happened that it's all become meaningless.
• ---
• Victoria was a little distracted by Jackson and Andy's behavior, and she hadn't gotten herself together enough to talk to her father. Back home, the living room was filled with suitcases, but there was no one there. She wore headphones and waited in the living room for her father to come and talk to her.
• Fortunately, as everyone was coming down the main staircase, knocks on the door indicated that the car had arrived to pick them up.
• She calmly watched her mother open the door and greet the man who seemed to be their driver. He was impeccably dressed in a black suit and tie, but with tousled light blonde to light brown hair, undoubtedly handsome and young, causing Jamie to flutter her eyelashes flirtatiously. Victoria just observed everything around her with the music blaring while her mother exchanged a few words with the suited man—apparently the young driver—who signaled two other people. In a second, they were in the living room, carrying the luggage to one of the two elegant SUVs that had come to pick them up. Absorbed in how her mother always wanted to show she was superior to those workers, she didn't realize when her father sat down next to her. Letting out a sigh, she paused the music and turned around on the sofa to face him. The word ‘guilt’ was written on his forehead.
• "Daughter...I'm so sorry. I know how important that trip with your friends was. I...I will make it up to you, I promise," Hank assured her, worried that she would believe him.
• "I don't want any compensation, Dad," Victoria snapped, ignoring the tone of guilt. "I don't want to talk about the trip; it's already ruined. And no, I'm not mad at you or Mom for forcing me to go to the Caribbean. I'm just...sad. Can I be sad?"
• "You're right. Of course, you can be sad, my dear. Is there anything I can do?" Hank asked with all the existing paternal tenderness.
• "Let's not talk about it anymore. I want to forget about it."
• "Of course."
• ---
• As expected, from the moment they got into the elegant cars waiting to take them to the airport, Hank's family didn't have to do anything but show up at the boarding gate and wait in the V.I.P. lounge until they were called to board. They were accompanied the entire time by a company representative, who not only took care of the luggage and guided them through the airport but also traveled with them, making sure they lacked nothing until they reached their destination.
• Nine hours later, Todd, the unknown escort, guided them from the moment they got off the plane to a waiting car.
• "This car will take you directly to the port, where a boat is waiting for you," he said.
• "What about the luggage?" Hank asked, seeing the car was about to leave.
• "Don't worry, Hank, I will personally take care of your suitcases. I'll catch up with you in a moment."
• "We don't mind waiting a little longer," he insisted calmly.
• "I'm sure you don't, but Mr. Rothschild doesn't like to waste time."
• "What did you say!?" Hank exclaimed, astonishment with a hint of panic upon hearing the name of the great boss.
• "Mr. Rothschild is waiting for you. It's one of his favorite islands, and the house is amazing. He wanted to welcome you personally," Todd explained, amused, knowing perfectly well the effect that mentioning his boss's name has on people. Most get nervous.
• "Well... is he going to spend his vacation on his ‘island’?" Hank asked.
• "I could say yes, although the boss will only stay a few days; he's here for work."
• "Then we better not keep him waiting."
• "Have a good vacation, Hank."
• The journey from the airport to the coast took about 45 minutes. At the port, Mr. Rothschild's assistant, David Miles, was waiting for them to take them to the property. With everyone on board, they started the journey to the house, which took them half an hour by boat. The house was literally located on an island in the middle of the ocean. It was stunning, surrounded by vegetation, with a perfect private beach.
• "Well, LeeSmith family, we have arrived. Be careful getting off," David announced with enthusiasm and efficiency.
• "This place is a dream!" exclaimed Jamie, amazed.
• "It certainly looks like it, dear. Let's get off quickly because Mr. Rothschild is waiting for us," Hank said.
• With the help of the boat driver and David, everyone got off without any problems. A few meters away, at the end of the wooden platform, stood Mr. Rothschild, perfectly dressed in an elegant suit, as usual. His personal assistant, Miller Anderson, stood a step behind him.
• Anxious and somewhat impatient to greet them, Mr. Rothschild watched as they approached. Hank was nervous, his wife walked smiling, while his children remained in a neutral state between tired and curious to see the owner of the ‘island’ in person.
• For Mr. Rothschild, a proper introduction of all the family members was all he needed to satisfy his curiosity and need to know. With his hands in the pockets of his dress pants and his tie floating in the direction of the perfect breeze, he appeared calm as he waited for them to finish the walk towards him.
• "Mr. Rothschild, it's a pleasure to see you again," Hank said.
• "Good evening, Mr. LeeSmith. Please introduce me to your family," Mr. Rothschild greeted with too much seriousness, getting straight to the point immediately.
• "Of course," Hank replied.
• With a serious look on his face, Mr. Rothschild waited for Hank to introduce each member of his family. As usual, he offered his hand and waited for them to make eye contact before moving on to the next greeting. For him, maintaining eye contact was very important; it was his way of "reading" people. It told him more than a handful of polite words.
• "And finally, my daughter Victoria..." Hank announced, with a half-smile as he referred to her. For him, his second daughter was his pride, his baby, who despite having such distinct tastes would always be special.
• "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss LeeSmith," Mr. Rothschild said.